The Need for Proactive Intrapreneurship

Most companies wait until disaster strikes before acting. This essay explains why systematic thinking, proactive leadership, and empowering employees are the keys to building resilient businesses.

Too many businesses today operate on the false assumption that as long as things are going smoothly, everything will continue to run like clockwork. They take for granted that the status quo will remain intact, unaware of the inevitable challenges lurking around the corner. It’s not until something goes terribly wrong—a metaphorical *smack in the face*—that they realize they are woefully unprepared.

This "smack" happens when systems that should have been in place to prevent failures are missing, and everyone ends up scrambling to fix the problem, firefighting without a long-term solution. Businesses underestimate the severity of the situations they manage because they don’t think systematically. This isn’t always a lack of effort—it’s often a lack of education and understanding about how to build businesses that are proactive, resilient, and designed for the long haul.

The Problem: Lack of Systematic Thinking and Planning

Many business owners and managers are not formally trained in business management. They’ve built their companies from the ground up, relying on intuition, market demand, or personal drive, but they often lack the knowledge to implement best practices in running a company systematically. As a result, they’re not planning for all the possible scenarios that could disrupt their operations. Instead, they react when things go wrong, perpetuating a cycle of crisis management that kills productivity and morale.

This is a remnant of the business environment in the 90s, when companies were thriving on high demand and little competition. Back then, you didn’t need to be a brilliant strategist to succeed; there was enough demand for almost anything. But those days are over. The global market is fiercely competitive, and only those businesses that think ahead, plan for risks, and foster innovation within their teams will thrive. Yet, many companies haven’t made the shift.

The Missed Opportunity: Fostering Productivity Through Intrapreneurship

Productivity isn’t just about getting more done; it’s about empowering employees to contribute meaningfully to the processes they’re involved in. Every employee has unique knowledge of their job and the systems they interact with daily. They are the ultimate experts in their specific role. When companies fail to tap into that expertise, they miss out on a huge opportunity for improvement.

The best businesses encourage *intrapreneurship*—the idea that employees can act as entrepreneurs within their roles, identifying problems, suggesting innovations, and contributing to the growth of the company. But this only happens when leaders are open to collaboration and ready to leverage their teams’ potential. Unfortunately, many managers don’t appreciate the value of their employees' insights and fail to build a culture of feedback, innovation, and mutual respect.

The Leadership Crisis: Poor Management and the Lack of Vision

At the root of many business failures is poor leadership. Managers often don't see their teams as contributors to the overall success of the company. Instead of empowering their employees to take ownership and act as innovators, they treat them as tools to solve immediate problems. There is no vision, no long-term plan, and no sense of direction. The result? A workforce of demotivated firefighters, constantly putting out the flames caused by poor management decisions, rather than proactively working toward a brighter future.

Managers who don’t engage with their teams and don’t seek or value their input fail to leverage one of the most powerful resources they have: the collective knowledge and creativity of their employees. Without feedback, without encouragement, and without a shared vision, employees have nothing to fight for. They become passive problem-solvers, handling issues as they arise rather than working together to build a better company.

The Path Forward: A Systematic Approach to Leadership

To break free from this cycle of reactivity, businesses need to embrace systematic thinking and proactive planning. This starts with education—business owners and managers must seek out knowledge on how to run a company effectively in today’s global market. They need to build systems that prevent failures, create frameworks for innovation, and foster a culture where employees are encouraged to contribute their ideas and take ownership of their roles.

Leaders need to be more than just bosses—they need to be mentors, visionaries, and facilitators of change. They should guide their teams, provide constructive feedback, and work with them to set a shared direction for the future. Employees should be seen as vital contributors to the company’s success, not as cogs in a machine. When businesses operate this way, they become resilient, adaptable, and competitive, prepared for any challenges that come their way.

Conclusion: From Firefighting to Proactive Leadership

Businesses can’t afford to wait for that "smack in the face" moment before they take action. The time to build resilient, innovative companies is now. This means fostering a culture of intrapreneurship, systematically planning for the future, and embracing a leadership style that values employees as contributors to the company’s success. By moving away from firefighting and toward proactive leadership, businesses can not only survive but thrive in today’s competitive landscape.